Sampling apparatus and use of a sampling apparatus

A method of use of a sampling apparatus for collection of sample material from a product flow, wherein the sampling apparatus comprises:

• a sampling cup comprising a collection cavity having a filling opening of an extent allowing for sample material to be collected from a product flow and into the collection cavity, wherein the sampling cup is arranged to contain and store a volume of the sample material inside the collection cavity;
• wherein the sampling cup comprising the collection cavity and the filling opening is movably arranged between an extracted position and a retracted position by an actuator system, wherein the extracted position comprises a first position for allowing the sampling cup to intersect the product flow;
• wherein the sampling cup comprises a body that defines the collection cavity, wherein a first side of the body defines the filling opening that allows the sample material to be collected within the collection cavity upon an inner surface portion of the body that faces the filling opening, wherein the filling opening and the inner surface portion move in unison at all times;
• and
• wherein the sampling apparatus further comprises a blow system comprising one or more nozzles arranged to direct a pressurized gaseous medium across the filling opening so as to remove excess sample material extending above the filling opening, while the sampling cup is located in the extracted position;
• wherein the method comprises:
• having the product flow provide a food product, wherein the product flow comprises material arranged to provide the food product after undergoing at least an extrusion process, drying process and cooling process, and
• having the sampling apparatus collect a sample material from the product flow prior to the extrusion process, prior to the drying process and/or prior or post to the cooling process.

A method of use of a sampling apparatus for collection of a sample material from a product flow, the method comprising:

• collecting a sample material from a product flow into a collection cavity of a sample cup, wherein the collection cavity has a filling opening and wherein the sample material is a pelletized sample material of a size having the largest dimension of a length of in the range of 0.4 mm to 35 mm, wherein the sampling cup is arranged to contain and store a volume of the sample material inside the collection cavity;
• movably arranging the sampling cup comprising the collection cavity and the filling opening between an extracted position and a retracted position by an actuator system, wherein the extracted position comprises a first position for allowing the sampling cup to intersect the product flow;
• directing pressurized gaseous medium across the filling opening so as to remove excess sample material extending above the filling opening, while the sampling cup is located in the extracted position;
• wherein the sampling apparatus comprises:
• a sampling cup comprising a collection cavity having a filling opening of an extent allowing for sample material to be collected from a product flow and into the collection cavity;
• wherein the sampling cup is movably arranged between an extracted position and a retracted position by an actuator system, wherein the extracted position comprises a first position for allowing the sampling cup to intersect the product flow;
• wherein the sampling cup comprises a body that defines the collection cavity, wherein a first side of the body defines the filling opening that allows the sample material to be collected within the collection cavity upon an inner surface portion of the body that faces the filling opening, wherein the filling opening and the inner surface portion move in unison at all times;
• and wherein the sampling apparatus further comprises a blow system comprising one or more nozzles arranged to direct a pressurized gaseous medium across the filling opening so as to remove excess sample material extending above the filling opening, while the sampling cup is located in the extracted position.